Display operation device, non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing display operation program, and display operation method and image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display operation device is included in an image forming apparatus. The display operation device includes an apparatus-image display unit and a paper feed/output specifying unit. The apparatus-image display unit displays an image of the image forming apparatus on a screen. In the image, a paper feed source and a paper output destination are separately located. The paper feed/output specifying unit receives at least information specifying the paper feed source and the paper output destination as a result of linking of the paper feed source with the paper output destination in the image on the screen.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-068749, filed inthe Japan Patent Office on Mar. 28, 2013, the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a display operation device forproviding an instruction to form an image, a non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium storing a display operation program,and a display operation method and an image forming apparatus.

A typical digital multi-function device includes a panel unit having atouch panel screen, as a display operation device. A user inputs aninstruction to perform printing, setting, or the like and views theresult of such an input through the screen of the panel unit of thetypical image forming apparatus.

To specify a detailed condition by using the typical image formingapparatus, a user performs an input operation using operation keysdisplayed on the screen. In particular, to specify a paper feed sourceand a paper output destination and specify conditions forpost-processing to be performed on a sheet after printing, a user needsto perform a large number of key operations.

SUMMARY

A display operation device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes an apparatus-image display unit and a paperfeed/output specifying unit. The apparatus-image display unit isconfigured to display an image of an image forming apparatus on ascreen. The image is an image wherein a paper feed source and a paperoutput destination are separately located. The paper feed/outputspecifying unit is configured to receive information specifying thepaper feed source and the paper output destination as a result oflinking of the paper feed source with the paper output destination inthe apparatus image on the screen.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to anembodiment of the present disclosure stores a display operation programexecutable by a computer. The display operation program causes thecomputer to serve as an apparatus-image display unit and a paperfeed/output specifying unit. The apparatus-image display unit displaysan image of an image forming apparatus on a screen. The image is animage in which a paper feed source and a paper output destination areseparately located. The paper feed/output specifying unit receivesinformation specifying the paper feed source and the paper outputdestination as a result of linking of the paper feed source with thepaper output destination in the image on the screen.

A display operation method according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes: (i) displaying, via an apparatus-image displayunit, an image of an image forming apparatus on a screen, the imagebeing an image in which a paper feed source and a paper outputdestination are separately located; and (ii) receiving, via a paperfeed/output specifying unit, information specifying the paper feedsource and the paper output destination as a result of linking of thepaper feed source with the paper output destination in the image on thescreen.

Additional features and advantages are described herein, and will beapparent from the following detailed description and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings are intended to illustrate some embodiments and examples ofthe present disclosure. The drawings described are only schematic andare non-limiting, and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an image forming apparatus having apanel unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows the panel unit according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary table describing gestures and the conditionassigned to the gestures, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary combination of gestures, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary screen shot of the combination ofgestures in FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary screen shot of an exemplary sheet imageon a display operation screen, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary screen shot of an exemplary sheet imagein editing, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary screen shot of an exemplary confirmedimage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a display operation according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are described below with reference to the figures.It should be understood, however, that numerous variations from thedepicted arrangements and functions are possible while remaining withinthe scope and spirit of the claims. For instance, one or more elementsmay be added, removed, combined, distributed, substituted,re-positioned, re-ordered, and/or otherwise changed. Further, where thisdescription refers to one or more functions being implemented on and/orby one or more devices, one or more machines, and/or one or morenetworks, it should be understood that one or more of such entitiescould carry out one or more of such functions by themselves or incooperation, and may do so by application of any suitable combination ofhardware, firmware, and/or software. For instance, one or moreprocessors may execute one or more sets of programming instructions asat least part of carrying out one or more of the functions describedherein.

An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below withreference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of an image forming apparatus havinga panel unit. FIG. 2 illustrates the panel unit.

An image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 is, for example, a digitalmulti-function device. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided withvarious functions such as a print function of performing printing. Theimage forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment has a configurationcompatible with these functions, and also includes a panel unit 3serving as a display operation device. The configuration compatible withthe various functions is not illustrated in FIG. 1.

The panel unit 3 includes a display operation screen 5 and a panelcontrol unit 7.

The display operation screen 5 is, for example, a touch-panelliquid-crystal display screen. The display operation screen 5 is used,for example, to input print settings of the image forming apparatus 1and to display the input result. An input operation may be performedwith a user's finger, a dedicated pen, or the like. An embodiment willbe described below under the assumption that an input operation isperformed with a user's finger.

The panel control unit 7 includes a processor and a read only memory(ROM) storing operation programs for the processor. The panel controlunit 7 executes a display operation program, thereby controlling displayof input operations and their input results on the display operationscreen 5. Specifically, the panel control unit 7 serves as anapparatus-image display unit 9, a paper feed/output specifying unit 11,a condition specifying unit 13, a sheet image display unit 23, acondition edit unit 27, and a confirmed image display unit 29.

The apparatus-image display unit 9 provides an apparatus-image displayfunction. As in FIG. 2, the apparatus-image display unit 9 displays animage of the image forming apparatus 1, in which a paper feed source 15and a paper output destination 17 are separately located, on the displayoperation screen 5. In an embodiment, the apparatus-image display unit 9displays the paper feed source 15 and the paper output destination 17(hereinafter, may be referred to as a “paper feed source image 15” and a“paper output destination image 17”) in the image that are separatelylocated in the left and right end portions, on the display operationscreen 5.

In the image, the paper feed source 15 has multiple paper feed cassettes19, and the paper output destination 17 has multiple paper output trays21. A user touches (taps) the image with his/her finger, enablingselection of a paper feed cassette 19 in the paper feed source image 15and selection of a paper output tray 21 in the paper output destinationimage 17.

The paper feed/output specifying unit 11 provides a paper feed/outputspecifying function. The paper feed/output specifying unit 11 receivesat least information that specifies an actual paper feed source and anactual paper output destination of the image forming apparatus 1 as aresult of linking the paper feed source image 15 with the paper outputdestination image 17 on the display operation screen 5.

Linking the paper feed source image 15 with the paper output destinationimage 17 is performed by forming a continuous path T between the paperfeed source image 15 and the paper output destination image 17 by usinga user's finger. For example, a user taps a paper feed cassette 19 inthe paper feed source image 15 on the display operation screen 5 withoutreleasing the user's finger from the display operation screen 5, andtouches a paper output tray 21 in the paper output destination image 17(dragging). Even when the user's finger is released from the displayoperation screen 5 at some midpoint, a continuous path T may be formedbetween the paper feed source image 15 and the paper output destinationimage 17 by restarting the dragging from the point at which the user'sfinger was released.

When the paper feed source image 15 and the paper output destinationimage 17 are linked together, a user may perform the link operation insuch a manner that the path goes through all or some of the paper feedcassettes 19 of the paper feed source 15. Thus, the user may group paperfeed cassettes containing sheets of the same size.

The condition specifying unit 13 provides a condition specifyingfunction. The condition specifying unit 13 receives a condition forprinting that serves as image forming, based on a portion J(hereinafter, may be referred to as a “gesture J”) in the path T thatlinks the paper feed source image 15 with the paper output destinationimage 17.

Conditions to be received are not particularly limited. For example,conditions to be received are those related to the sheet, and are asetting of duplex printing used in printing, settings forpost-processing to be performed on the sheet after printing, and thelike. In an embodiment, information specifying these conditions as wellas information specifying the paper feed source and the paper outputdestination constitutes the printing condition.

Different settings are assigned to gestures J depending on the type of agesture. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary table describing gestures andthe settings assigned to the gestures. As in FIG. 3, a gesture J in thisembodiment easily suggests a condition, for example “double side”,“staple”, “punching”, “folding” specified to the gesture. When thecondition specifying unit 13 recognizes a gesture J, the conditionspecifying unit 13 receives information specifying the condition basedon the table.

The condition specifying unit 13 receives multiple conditions based on acombination of different gestures J. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplarycombination of gestures. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary screen at thetime when the paper feed source image and the paper output destinationimage are linked together with the combination of gestures J illustratedin FIG. 4. In the example in FIGS. 4 and 5, conditions of “double side”,“staple”, and “punching” are specified based on the table in FIG. 3.

The condition specifying unit 13 recognizes separations in the combinedgestures J, enabling multiple gestures J to indicate multipleconditions. The recognition of separations in gestures J is notparticularly limited. For example, separations are recognized ingestures J by performing determination based on, for example, a state inwhich a straight line having a specific length is present or a state inwhich the direction vector of the straight line is inclined by an angleequal to or greater than a specific angle with respect to a straightline connecting the start point to the end point.

The sheet image display unit 23 provides the sheet image displayfunction. The sheet image display unit 23 displays the sheet image inwhich a printing condition received by the condition specifying unit 13is reflected, on the display operation screen 5. FIG. 6 illustrates anexemplary sheet image 25 on the display operation screen 5.

As in FIG. 6, the sheet image 25 is displayed as the confirmation screenbetween the paper feed source image 15 and the paper output destinationimage 17. In the example in FIG. 6, the conditions of “double side”,“staple”, and “punching” are reflected in the sheet image 25.

On the confirmation screen according to this embodiment, informationthat specifies the paper feed source (Cass1) and the paper outputdestination (TrayA) and that is received by the paper feed/outputspecifying unit 11 is also displayed on the paper feed source image 15and the paper output destination image 17. The display operation isperformed by the apparatus-image display unit 9.

The condition edit unit 27 performs the edit function. The conditionedit unit 27 receives information about edits made to conditionsdisplayed on the sheet image 25.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary sheet image 25 in editing. As in FIG. 7,the sheet image 25 is subjected to operations of editing the conditions,such as flicking, dragging, and tapping, on the confirmation screen inFIG. 6. In this embodiment, the sheet image 25 also is subjected toediting the information specifying the paper feed source and the paperoutput destination. The editing operation is not particularly limited.An appropriate operation is employed as an editing operation based onthe information about the paper feed source and the paper outputdestination that is to be edited, or based on attributes of theconditions corresponding to gestures J.

The confirmed image display unit 29 performs the confirmed image displayfunction. The confirmed image display unit 29 displays a confirmed imagefor the paper feed source and the paper output destination, and for theprinting condition. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary confirmed image.

As in FIG. 8, the sheet image 25 corresponding to the confirmed sheet isdisplayed between the paper feed source image 15 and the paper outputdestination image 17 on which the paper feed cassette and the paperoutput tray that are confirmed are displayed. Thus, a user canintuitively recognize the paper feed cassette to which sheets of paperare actually supplied in the image forming apparatus 1, the conditionsapplied to sheets of paper in printing, and the paper output cassette towhich the sheets of paper are outputted, in a state in which the paperfeed cassette, the conditions, and the paper output cassette areassociated with each other.

A display operation will now be described. FIG. 9 illustrates a displayoperation.

In the example in FIGS. 5 to 8, the print settings are set on thedisplay operation screen 5 in the display operation according to anembodiment. The display operation starts, for example, in response to auser tapping an operation key on the display operation screen 5.

The process in step S1, “DISPLAY APPARATUS IMAGE”, is performed. In thisprocess, as in FIG. 5, the apparatus-image display unit 9 separatelydisplays the paper feed source image 15 and the paper output destinationimage 17 in the left and right portions on the display operation screen5. Thus, step S1 is completed, and the process proceeds to step S2.

The process in step S2, “ARE FEED SOURCE AND OUTPUT DESTINATION LINKEDTOGETHER?”, is performed. In this process, the paper feed/outputspecifying unit 11 determines whether or not one continuous path Tconnects a paper feed cassette 19 in the paper feed source image 15 to apaper output tray 21 in the paper output destination image 17. If onecontinuous path T connects a paper feed cassette 19 to a paper outputtray 21, the process proceeds to step S3 (YES). If not, the processrepeatedly performs step S2 (NO).

In an embodiment, as in FIG. 5, since a paper feed cassette 19 in thepaper feed source image 15 and a paper output tray 21 in the paperoutput destination image 17 are linked together, the process proceeds tostep S3.

The process in step S3, “RECEIVE INFORMATION SPECIFYING FEED SOURCE ANDOUTPUT DESTINATION”, is performed. In this process, the paperfeed/output specifying unit 11 receives information specifying the paperfeed cassette 19 in the paper feed source image 15 and the paper outputtray 21 in the paper output destination image 17 that are linkedtogether on the display operation screen 5. In an embodiment, a cassette“Cass1” is specified as the paper feed cassette 19, and a tray “TrayA”is specified as the paper output tray 21.

If step S3 is completed, the process proceeds to step S4.

The process in step S4, “IS GESTURE PRESENT?”, is performed. In thisprocess, the condition specifying unit 13 determines whether or not agesture J based on the table in FIG. 3 is present at some midpoint inthe link between the paper feed source image 15 and the paper outputdestination image 17.

If a gesture J is present, the process proceeds to step S5 (YES). If agesture J is not present, the process proceeds to step S6 (NO). In anembodiment, as in FIG. 5, since gestures J are present, the processproceeds to step S5.

The process in step S5, “RECEIVE CONDITION BASED ON GESTURE”, isperformed. In this process, the condition specifying unit 13 receivesinformation specifying a condition according to the gesture J based onthe table in FIG. 3. In an embodiment, as in FIGS. 3 to 5, conditions of“double side”, “staple”, and “punching” are received. If step S5 iscompleted, the process proceeds to step S6.

The process in step S6, “DISPLAY SHEET IMAGE”, is performed. In thisprocess, the sheet image display unit 23 generates the sheet image 25 inFIG. 6 based on the specifying operation performed in step S5, anddisplays it on the display operation screen 5. At that time, theapparatus-image display unit 9 displays the paper feed cassette 19 andthe paper output tray 21 that are specified in step S3, on the paperfeed source image 15 and the paper output destination image 17.

If the process proceeds from step S4, a sheet image specifying noconditions may be displayed. Alternatively, no sheet images may bedisplayed.

If step S6 is completed, the process proceeds to step S7.

The process in step S7, “RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT EDITS”, is performed.In this process, as in FIG. 7, the condition edit unit 27 receivesinformation about edits made to the paper feed cassette 19 in the paperfeed source image 15 and the paper output tray 21 in the paper outputdestination image 17, and information about edits made to the conditionson the sheet image 25 on the confirmation screen. When such informationis to be received, as in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, a message “Is thespecified information correct?” may be displayed to prompt a user toperform an editing operation.

Editing of the paper feed cassette 19 and the paper output tray 21 isnot particularly limited, and may be performed by tapping. Editing ofthe conditions on the sheet image 25 may be performed by inputting agesture J again or by performing an editing operation on the sheet image25.

The editing operation may be performed by performing a differentoperation depending on a condition. For example, editing the bindingdirection is performed by dragging an edge on the top, the bottom, theleft side, or the right side of the sheet image 25. Editing the stapleposition is performed by tapping a corner of the sheet image 25. Editingthe punch position is performed by tapping an edge on the top, thebottom, the left side, or the right side of the sheet image 25. Deletinga condition from the sheet image 25 is performed by flicking.

After editing is thus performed, an operation for completing the editingis performed so that the edited information is fixed. When no editing isperformed, an operation for completing the editing is performed so thatthe original information is fixed.

If step S7 is completed, the process proceeds to step S8.

The process in step S8, “DISPLAY CONFIRMED IMAGE”, is performed. In thisprocess, the final print settings that are fixed in step S7 aredisplayed as a confirmed image in FIG. 8 on the display operation screen5.

In an embodiment, the paper feed source image 15 and the paper outputdestination image 17 are actually linked together through an intuitiveoperation on the display operation screen 5, enabling a user to easilyset print settings while the number of operations is reduced.

In an embodiment, the condition specifying unit 13 receives informationspecifying printing conditions based on a gesture J in some midpoint ina link between the paper feed source image 15 and the paper outputdestination image 17.

Accordingly, in an embodiment, a user can also specify a printingcondition through an intuitive operation. Thus, a user can set printsettings easily while the number of operations is further reduced.

A gesture J may easily suggest a condition that is to be specified.Thus, a user can easily perform a specifying operation.

In an embodiment, the paper feed source image 15 and the paper outputdestination image 17 are separately located, enabling a gesture J to bemade between the paper feed source image 15 and the paper outputdestination image 17 without difficulty. Thus, a user can surely input agesture J.

The condition specifying unit 13 receives information specifyingmultiple conditions based on a combination of gestures J at differentmidpoints, enabling a user to set the print settings with feweroperations.

Even when multiple gestures J are thus combined, operations can beperformed without difficulty between the paper feed source image 15 andthe paper output destination image 17 that are separately located.

In an embodiment, the sheet image display unit 23 displays the sheetimage 25 on which conditions received by the condition specifying unit13 are reflected, on the display operation screen 5. Thus, whenconditions are inputted by using gestures J, a user can check theresult, reducing the occurrence of an error in the operations in whichthe conditions are specified.

In an embodiment, the condition edit unit 27 receives information aboutedits made to a condition on the sheet image 25. Thus, occurrence of anerror in operations in which conditions are specified can be reduced,and a user can also easily edit information to obtain the intendedinformation.

An embodiment of the present disclosure has been described, but thepresent invention is not limited to this. Various changes may be made.

For example, a gesture J and the condition corresponding to the gestureJ may be freely set by a user. In this case, for example, a user may setor change the table illustrated in FIG. 3.

The path T (including a gesture J) that links the paper feed sourceimage 15 with the paper output destination image 17 is inputted again,whereby the existing specified information is overwritten with the newspecified information, or the new specified information is added to theexisting specified information.

In the specifying of a condition using a gesture J, not only selectionof a function as in an embodiment, but also selection of more detailedinformation may be performed. For example, when the same gesture J isinputted multiple times, positions, sizes, a range, the number ofconditions, and the like may be specified based on the specifiedfunction. An example will be described by using a gesture J of“punching”. When two gestures J are inputted, sub-punching of two holesmay be specified. When three gestures J are inputted, main punching ofthree holes may be specified. Other than that, the detail of a conditionmay be specified by using the direction or the like of a gesture J.

The present disclosure may be applied to a display operation devicewithout a touch panel. In this case, an operation device such as a mouseand a display device such as a display may be combined. An operation oflinking the paper feed source with the paper output destination in animage on a screen may be achieved, for example, by performing a draggingoperation with a mouse.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present subject matter and withoutdiminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that suchchanges and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display operation device, comprising: anapparatus-image display unit configured to display an image of an imageforming apparatus on a screen, the image being an image in which a paperfeed source and a paper output destination are separately located; apaper feed/output specifying unit configured to receive informationspecifying the paper feed source and the paper output destination as aresult of linking of the paper feed source with the paper outputdestination in the image on the screen; and a condition specifying unitconfigured to receive information specifying a condition of imageformation, based on a portion in a continuous path linking the paperfeed source with the paper output destination in the image, wherein: thecontinuous path includes a combination of a plurality of differentportions; and the condition specifying unit is configured to receive aplurality of conditions based on the combination of the plurality ofdifferent portions in the continuous path.
 2. The display operationdevice according to claim 1, comprising: a condition specifying unitconfigured to receive information specifying a condition of imageformation, based on the combination of the plurality of differentgestures in the continuous path linking the paper feed source with thepaper output destination in the image.
 3. The display operation deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein the condition specifying unit isconfigured to enable the plurality of different gestures to indicate aplurality of conditions by recognizing a separation in the plurality ofdifferent gestures in the continuous path.
 4. The display operationdevice according to claim 3, comprising: a sheet image display unitconfigured to display a sheet image on the screen in which the pluralityof conditions is reflected, the plurality of conditions being receivedby the condition specifying unit.
 5. The display operation deviceaccording to claim 4, comprising: a condition edit unit configured toreceive information about an edit made to the specified condition on thesheet image.
 6. The display operation device according to claim 2,comprising: a sheet image display unit configured to display a sheetimage on the screen, the sheet image being an image in which thecondition of the image formation is reflected, the condition beingreceived by the condition specifying unit.
 7. The display operationdevice according to claim 6, comprising: a condition edit unitconfigured to receive information about an edit made to the specifiedcondition on the sheet image.
 8. An image forming apparatus comprisingthe display operation device according to claim
 1. 9. An image formingapparatus comprising the display operation device according to claim 2.10. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing adisplay operation program executable by a computer, the displayoperation program causing the computer to serve as: an apparatus-imagedisplay unit that displays an image of the image forming apparatus on ascreen, the image being an image in which a paper feed source and apaper output destination are separately located; a paper feed/outputspecifying unit that receives information specifying the paper feedsource and the paper output destination as a result of linking of thepaper feed source with the paper output destination in the image on thescreen; and a condition specifying unit that receives informationspecifying a condition of image formation, based on a portion in acontinuous path linking the paper feed source with the paper outputdestination in the image, wherein: the continuous path includes acombination of a plurality of different portions; and the conditionspecifying unit receives a plurality of conditions based on thecombination of the plurality of different portions in the continuouspath.
 11. The non-transitory computer-readable recording mediumaccording to claim 10, the display operation program causing thecomputer to serve as: a condition specifying unit that receivesinformation specifying a condition of image formation, based on thecombination of the plurality of different gestures in the continuouspath linking the paper feed source with the paper output destination inthe image.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable recording mediumaccording to claim 11, wherein the condition specifying unit enables theplurality of different gestures to indicate a plurality of conditions byrecognizing a separation in the a plurality of different gestures in thecontinuous path.
 13. A display operation method, comprising: displaying,via an apparatus-image display unit, an image of an image formingapparatus on a screen, the image being an image in which a paper feedsource and a paper output destination are separately located; receiving,via a paper feed/output specifying unit, information specifying thepaper feed source and the paper output destination as a result oflinking of the paper feed source with the paper output destination inthe image on the screen; and receiving, via a condition specifying unit,information specifying a condition of image formation, based on aportion in a continuous path linking the paper feed source with thepaper output destination in the image, wherein: the continuous pathincludes a combination of a plurality of different portions; and thecondition specifying unit receives a plurality of conditions based onthe combination of the plurality of different portions in the continuouspath.
 14. The display operation method according to claim 13,comprising: receiving, via a condition specifying unit, informationspecifying a condition of image formation, based on the combination ofthe plurality of different gestures in the continuous path linking thepaper feed source with the paper output destination in the image. 15.The display operation method according to claim 14, wherein thecondition specifying unit enables the plurality of different gestures toindicate a plurality of conditions by recognizing a separation in theplurality of different gestures in the continuous path.